Honesty statement: The faculty and administration expect that RVC students are serious and honorable scholars. Furthermore, students are expected to do their own, original work, except when collaboration on projects is directed by faculty as part of the course or specific assignment. Students are expected to observe the commonly accepted standards of academic honesty at all times. Students who commit any of the forms of academic misconduct as outlined below are subject to the penalties and sanctions agreed upon by the faculty and administration of Rock Valley College. In addition to the penalty assigned by a faculty member, a report of the alleged violation and assigned penalty will be made to the Dean of Students Office.
Acts of Academic Misconduct 1. Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the representation of someone else’s intellectual property (words, ideas or data) as one’s own. When a student submits work for credit that includes the work of others, the source of that information must be properly acknowledged through complete, accurate and specific references. If verbatim statements are included, quotation marks must be used and the source must be cited.
c. The instructor will report the violation and action taken to the Dean of Students Office for the purpose of centralized reporting and review. The online referral form is available at: RockValleyCollege.edu/ReferralForm. d. Accordingly, an instructor or designated proctor who has witnessed an act of academic misconduct or who has other evidence that academic dishonesty has occurred, will advise the student involved that there is reason to believe that the student has committed a violation of academic integrity and a report has been made to the Dean of Students Office. e. The student will be afforded an opportunity to respond and have the right to appeal.
2. Academic Appeal and Review Process a. Student Appeal Process If the student does not agree to the action taken by the faculty member, the student should contact the faculty’s Dean. After meeting with the Dean, if the student chooses to request a formal appeal by an Academic Conduct Hearing Panel, the student will follow these steps:
i. Student submits, in writing, a request to appeal the faculty member’s allegation. Student should include any supporting documentation. Student submits request to the Dean of Students.
ii. Student will be provided a written notice of the allegation(s) from the Dean of Students. The notice will also include the date, time, and place of the Academic Conduct Hearing Panel.
iii. The Academic Conduct Hearing Panel will consist of the Dean of Students (facilitator, non-voting member), the appropriate Academic Dean, two (2) faculty members from the same academic discipline as the faculty member bringing the charge, one (1) faculty member from outside that department, and one (1) Student Development administrator; all five (5) will be chosen by the appropriate academic vice president in consultation with the Dean of Students.
2. Cheating by Copying
Students may not copy or purchase any part of another student’s or entity’s assignment, computer program, or examination. No unauthorized communication is allowed between students during an examination. No student is permitted to keep books, papers, calculators, computers, cell phones or the like, or notes during an examination, unless permitted by the instructor or proctor.
3. Dishonest Collaboration
Collaboration in the completion of assignments is prohibited unless explicitly permitted by the instructor. Students must acknowledge any collaboration and its extent in all submitted course work.
4. Fabrication
Fabrication is the intentional use of invented information or the falsification of research or other finds with the intent to deceive.
5. Other acts of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:
Giving or receiving information during an exam; aiding cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty by providing material or information to another student with the knowledge that this material or information will be used improperly.
Procedures for Addressing Academic Misconduct 1. Action Taken by Instructors a. A faculty member has the original jurisdiction over instances of academic misconduct that occur in their course; the faculty member’s jurisdiction is subject (in some cases) to depart mental policy. b. When academic misconduct by a student is identified by a instructor, an appropriate academic penalty will be assessed by the faculty. The Dean of Students and the Academic Dean may be informed of both the nature of the offense and the action taken. The instructor may impose one or more of the following: • An oral reprimand • A written reprimand • An assignment to repeat the work, to be graded on its merits
academics
Academic Integrity
• A lower or failing grading for the exam, paper, or project • A lower grade for the course • A failing grade for the course
b. Faculty Review Process If a faculty member feels a penalty greater than an “F” in the course is warranted: i. Faculty member consults with Academic Dean.
ii. If Faculty member chooses to request a formal review, they will contact the Dean of Students to initiate the Academic Conduct Hearing Panel process.
3. Academic Conduct Hearing Procedures a. All parties shall be afforded the opportunity to speak and present pertinent documentation. The student will meet individually with the Panel first. After the student has met with the Panel, the Faculty member making the allegation will meet individually with the Panel. b. Legal counsel shall not be permitted; however, a non-attorney representative from within the College shall be permitted for both faculty and student. c. The Panel shall have the right to examine all documents presented, and question all participants. d. The Panel will reach its decision, in closed session, within three to five (3–5) business days. Both the student and faculty member will be informed, in writing, by the Dean of Students, of the results of the Panel’s decision. Decisions of the Academic Conduct Hearing Panel are final. 31